Klein brought over two cups of coffee and set them on the table. Looking at Talim Dumont across from him, he smiled and said,
"Sorry, I only have some rather cheap coffee here."
Talim picked up his cup and took a small sip. "I'm not particular about how coffee tastes."
"I didn't expect you to make a special visit to my home."
As he spoke, Klein dropped a few small sugar cubes into his coffee. "Is there something you need my help with?"
Their previous "friendship" had been limited to meeting and chatting at the Quelaag Club every few days. Since seeing Doctor Aaron's adopted son at the shooting range a few days earlier, Klein had not gone back.
His intuition told him that something had to be wrong with that boy named Will.
His reason told him not to be curious, not to investigate, and to stay as far away from the boy as possible-Klein felt that his "reason" was right!
Talim held his coffee cup in both hands, turning it gently without realizing it. "Do you remember that friend I mentioned last time?"
"Of course. A noble gentleman who's deeply devoted, yet has many loves."
"He seems to have fallen ill recently."
Talim sighed. "But when I tried to visit him, I was turned away. I know absolutely nothing about his condition right now."
"Well..."
Recalling his joking remarks about the identity of Talim's friend last time, Klein said, "With his noble status, he certainly won't lack care even if he's ill. Perhaps he refused your visit because he was worried about infecting you."
"He and I aren't that distant."
Talim raised his cup and drained the remaining coffee, as though he had finally made up his mind. "I'd like... to commission you to visit him for me."